EARLY HISTORY OF GRAAFSCHAP CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Holland, Michigan The First Pioneers of Graafschap of which the following are buried here: Lambert Tinholt, 1849; child of A. J. Neerken, 1850; Geesje Kropschat, 1850; Geert Kamps, 1850; Roelafje Schrow, 1850; Hendrik Brinkman, 1850; Wilhelmina H. Van Zanten, 1851; Gerrit Bouws, 1851; Hendrikje Klomparens, 1851; Derk Oude Gindel, 1851; Trutje Lucas, 1851; Jan Hendrik Lubbers, 1851; Johannes Hovenga, 1852; Steven Lucas, 1852; Berend Vos, 1852; and Janna Lamping, 1852. History of the Congregation (Taken from the 100th Anniversary Book, April, 1957) To understand our beginnings, we must first consider the ten years of our congregational life which precede 1857. In 1846 when Rev. A. C. Van Raalte left the Netherlands with his group of immigrants there was a strong desire in the hearts of many people in Graafschap Bentheim (an area of Germany on the Dutch Border) to go along to America. There were two reasons for this desire to migrate. Many sought to improve their physical lot. Conditions were oppressive. Many a prayer was uttered for relief. It seemed that the proposal among the Netherlanders to form a society for migration came as an answer to these prayers. There was however another reason. In 1834 a conscientious group of Hollanders had seceded from the State Church. Van Raalte and Scholte were among the leaders of this group. Their action had met with every effort by Church and State to hinder such a Secession. In many ways life had become difficult for the members of this group and it was especially these Seceders who made up the immigration society. The Secession had also come to the churches across the border because although nationally the people of Graafschap were Germans, in church matters they were united with the Dutch Reformed Churches. In fact, the church services were conducted in the Holland language. Under the leadership of H. H. Shoenmaker and J. B. Sundag the effects of the Secession penetrated the group of churches in this section of Germany. As in the Netherlands, persecution was the result. The desire to worship God freely and unhindered in submission to His Word led men to seek to move away. It was with joy that they received the news that God was opening a way to North America. The Germans were unable to prepare in time to accompany Van Raalte. The first group of them left Bentheim March 25, 1847 and going via Rotterdam on the sailboat "Antonnette Marie" came to New York May 23. In this group there were 70 persons. Among them one finds G. Rutgers, Arend Neerken, Geert Heneveld, Jan H. Lemmen, Hendrik Brinkman, G. J. Speet, J. H. Wiegmink, Hilligje Poppen, A. Klomparens, Jan Klomparens, Jennigje Meyer, Lambert Tinholt, Lucas Tinholt, L. Kropschot, Gerrit Bouws, Kasper LaHuis and G. Ferks. Besides these there were a group of 34 souls from the province of Drenthe in the Netherlands. From this area came the Hundermans, Ter Haars, Strabbings, and Hofmeyers. The 49 day journey to New York still left the group many miles from the new settlement of Holland, Michigan. This trip was made by the Erie Canal to Buffalo, then to Detroit across Lake Erie and finally by ship all the way around lower Michigan to Holland. They arrived at their new home June 20, 1847. If these pioneers had not been men of faith in God they could never have endured the hardships, sorrows, disappointments, and struggles. They had begun with God and by His help they endured. The settlers chose their location and called it Graafschap. At first they worshiped with Van Raalte. But the distance was too great for many. Thus arose the gathering at the house of W. Notting, where services were led by Egbert Dunnewind, Elder and Schoolmaster in the Netherlands. In ’48 the first log Church was built. The Consistory consisted of Gerrit Bouws, Steven Lucas, Jans Rutgers, Joh. Schrotenboer, Lambert Tinholt, and H. Zaalming. No evidence of a formal organization of the congregation is recorded. We only know that the Consistory of Graafschap was represented at the Classis on April ’48. In the Winter of ’47-’48 an effort was made to have Rev. S. Bolks and a group with him join the Graafschap Settlement. This did not prove successful. Bolks and his followers settled in Overisel. The following Summer Rev. H. G. Klijn was called from Middleberg, Zeeland. He was installed September 9, 1849 by Rev. Van Raalte. For a year and seven months he labored in the congregation which now numbered fifty families. During the vacancy the elders Joh Rutgers, Steven Lucas, Joh. Schrotenboer, Hendrikus Strabbing and H. Zaalming had the task of caring for the spiritual nurture of the congregation. The next minister, Rev. M. A. Ypma was installed October 3, 1852 by Rev. Van Raalte. He came from Vriesland, Netherlands. For two years and 2 months he labored in the congregation. There was financial and numerical growth. However, his stay was attended with several difficulties, not the least of which was the result of a strange discipline case. In 1855 he left for Low Prairie (South Holland), Illinois. From February 1855 to October 1864 the congregation remained without a pastor. During this time period, hardly a Consistory meeting passed without some discussion about the relationship to the Reformed Church in the East. The churches of Classis Holland joined the Dutch Reformed Church in June, 1849. At a congregational meeting held March 16, 1856 under the leadership of the Counselor, Rev. K. Van Den Bosch the problem was discussed and it was decided to seek further light about certain subjects. The questions were not answered to their satisfaction and on February 5, 1857 the Congregation was informed that the Consistory was convinced that (a) there were many in the Dutch Reformed Church who tolerated deviations from the doctrines of Predestination and who taught Universal Atonement, (b) that Free Masons were tolerated in the Church, (c) that Catechism preaching and instruction were neglected. A discussion concerning these matters with Rev. Van Raalte did not remove the difficulties. At the Congregational meeting held March 16, 1857, under the leadership of Steven Lucas, the decision was made to return to the independent status enjoyed by the group before their affiliation with the Dutch Reformed Church. This was done (a) because protesting had accomplished nothing and (b) because Rev. Wijckhof who had arranged the Union with the Dutch Reformed Church had promised them in 1849 the fullest right to bid that body farewell if they should find it desirable to do so. An Act of Separation was drawn up and presented to Classis on the 8th of April, 1857. stating that they would united with the Afgescheiden Kerk in the Netherlands. In May, 1857 the congregation united with the congregations of Grand Rapids, Noordeloos and Vriesland. The Consistory had its hand full as in 1849 they decided that all civil matters among the settlers had to be brought to the Consistory. Rev. Vanden Bosch came as often as possible to administer the Word and Sacraments. Member who had withdrawn from the Church in Holland joined the Graafschap Congregation. In 1862 it was decided to build a church. In October, 1864 Rev. Douwe J. Vander Werp of Burum, Friesland began his pastoral labors. He was also the first editor of DeWachter. Rev. Vander Werp was assigned the task of preparing men for the gospel ministry: J. Schepers, L. Rietdyk, E. Vander Vries, B. Mollema and W. Greve received all or part of their training in the parsonage at Graafschap. There was some discussion about establishing a school. For a period of 4 to 5 months each year the children were to attend the school where Christian instruction was given in the Holland language. Because of the growth of the congregation, the daughter congregations of Central Avenue, 1865, Niekerk Church, 1866 and East Saugatuck Church, 1869 were formed. Rev. Vander Werp left for Muskegon after 8 years. In 1874 Rev. W. H. Frieling accepted the call but remained only a short time when he took the place of Rev. Vander Werp, who had died, in Muskegon. In 1879 a new pastor was installed, Rev. R. T. Kuiper of Wildervank, Netherlands. The parsonage was a substantial brick house built in 1873. Rev. Kuiper remained ten years. During this time efforts were made to improve the education in the public schools. Two daughters of the pastor served as teachers when the Christian school was held. Efforts were made to aid immigration. Rev. Kuiper accepted a call to South Holland, Illinois. Rev. J. Keizer of Zeeland was installed as pastor September 7, 1890. More rooms were added to the church, the stove was replaced by a furnace and the first organ was installed. In May, 1898, Rev. Keizer left for Pella, Iowa and was succeeded by Rev. A. Keizer who came from Drenthe, Michigan. He was also the editor of De Wachter. The old school which stood west of the church and which was the old building of the Scottish Church, was replaced by a chapel to the East of the church. Rev. A. Keizer left after four years in 1902 and went to 9th Street, Holland. Rev. W. DeGroot of Borculo, Michigan was the next minister. The interior of the church was renewed and new pews installed. The young peoples’ society was organized and for several years the Dutch School was held. In September 1909 Rev. DeGroot accepted a call to 16th Street, Holland. Rev. M. Van Vessem succeeded him and served from January 1910 to January 1915. Rev. Ralph Bolt was the pastor at the time of the church’s 60th Anniversary. There was a special all day program which was all in Dutch except for an address by Mr. Gelmer Kuiper. At this time there were 187 families. The church had a vigorous mission interest and supported the Huizengas working with the Navajos, a Indian child was supported and part of the salary of Cora Van Zante was paid by the congregation. A new parsonage was built in 1917 There was discussion on teaching the children Catechism in English or Dutch, a church budget system, participation in the new Christian High School being formed in Holland. In 1922 Rev. Bolt left and Rev. J. L. Heeres began his labors in May of the same year. A parish house behind the church was built. He suggested that the young people sit in church with their families and this solved much of the problem of keeping order which had bothered the services for many years. There was an English evening service and in 1927 it was decided to have three English services per month. Rev. Heeres accepted a call to the Dennis Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids. Rev. J. O. Bouwsma came in December, 1927. The budget system was introduced. By 1930 the congregation had grown to 212 families. In October, 1931, Rev. Bouwsma and family moved to South Holland, Illinois. Rev. H. Blystra has the distinction of serving our congregation from February, 1932 to 1947. Rev. Theo Verhulst from Pella, Iowa began his labors among us in 1948 and he felt called to Lynden, Washington in the Spring of 1952. Rev. Lubbertus Oostendorp came in April 1953 and is our present pastor.